Art + Audience: Ep. 26 Summary – How I Built Two Creative Businesses That Generate $5 Million a Year
In Episode 26 of the Art + Audience podcast, host Stacie Bloomfield delves deep into her journey of building not one, but two thriving creative businesses that collectively generate an impressive $5 million annually. Through candid storytelling and actionable insights, Stacie reveals the strategies and systems that have fueled her success, offering invaluable lessons for artists and entrepreneurs alike.
From Humble Beginnings to Multi-Million Dollar Enterprises
Stacie opens the episode by addressing a common question she receives: "How do you juggle two companies that bring in around $5 million a year, raise three kids, and still create collections of art and release new products?" [01:15]
She recounts her early days in 2009, transitioning from a coffee shop manager to an artist with a burgeoning side hustle. In 2011, working from her dining room table with minimal resources—"a battered sketchbook, a clunky desktop scanner, stacks of hand-sewn pillows and prints waiting to go live on Etsy"—Stacie laid the groundwork for what would become her flagship business, Gingerbread.
Fast forward to 2025, Stacie manages two companies with a dedicated team of ten talented individuals each. Her headquarters, a cozy studio in Springdale, Arkansas, symbolizes both growth and continuity, as they continue to personally pack every order, maintaining a hands-on approach despite the expansion.
Introducing the Star Productivity Method
At the heart of Stacie’s success lies her proprietary system: the Star Productivity Method, which she elaborates on as a rhythm she swears by. This method is structured around the Star Cycle, the cornerstone of her upcoming book, The Artist's Side Hustle, set to release on November 18th.
Stacie explains, "I follow a system, a rhythm I've used for years. It's called the Star Cycle and it's the foundation of my upcoming book." [02:30] She emphasizes that this framework was developed during times when she had as little as five focused hours a week to dedicate to her business, yet it remains effective even as her responsibilities have expanded.
Themed Work Weeks for Enhanced Focus
Recognizing the chaos that can ensue from juggling multiple roles—"product design, coaching, content creation, and administration"—Stacie restructured her work week with themed days to restore flow and productivity. She details her structured approach:
- Monday & Tuesday – Education CEO Mode: Focused on courses, memberships, and mastermind support.
- Wednesday & Thursday – Art and Product Director: Dedicated to developing Gingerbread collections, fabric lines, and wholesale launches.
- Friday – Stacy Day: Reserved for personal development, content creation, and weekly reviews.
"Just one week in, I felt more energized and focused than I had in months," Stacie shares [04:45], highlighting the immediate positive impact of this restructuring.
Deep Dive into the Star Cycle
The Star Cycle comprises four critical phases: Strategize, Think, Adapt, Reach.
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Strategize (S): Involves mapping out plans, studying trends, and setting goals. For instance, during a team summit, Stacie and her team identify the need for a new free mini-course and outline a launch plan [05:30].
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Think (T): Focuses on creative processes such as writing, designing, and drafting ideas. An example includes building an ideal customer avatar generator using ChatGPT [06:00].
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Adapt (A): Centers on refining and polishing projects. This phase might involve beta testing a tool, refining its user interface, or trimming unnecessary elements [06:45].
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Reach (R): Entails launching products, sharing with audiences, and gathering feedback. Stacie illustrates this by recording a loom video, inviting feedback, and completing a mini-course within a tight timeline [07:15].
Stacie applies this cycle meticulously each week, ensuring that each phase transitions smoothly into the next, maintaining momentum and continuous improvement.
Why the Star Method Works
Stacie attributes the effectiveness of the Star Method to several key factors:
- Built-in Breaks: Prevents burnout by ensuring regular downtime.
- Adaptable Scope: Suitable for both side hustlers and full-time CEOs, the method scales with the size of the business.
- Momentum Loop: Each phase feeds into the next, creating a continuous cycle of growth and refinement.
- Mental Clarity: Themed days reduce decision fatigue and minimize the chaos of task switching.
"Momentum loop every reach out fuels your next strategize," Stacie notes, emphasizing the cyclical nature of sustained productivity [07:50].
Getting Started with the Star Challenge
Encouraging listeners to implement the Star Cycle, Stacie proposes the Star Challenge:
- Pick One Project: Choose a project you're eager to finish.
- Block Four Sessions: Allocate dedicated time for each phase of the Star Cycle.
- Follow the Order: Adhere to the sequence without skipping ahead.
- Emulate a Themed Week: Experience the structured flow and assess the outcomes.
She also offers a free printable worksheet to help map out the Star Cycle, available on her blog [08:10].
Book Pre-Order and Exclusive Bonuses
Stacie concludes the episode by announcing the pre-order availability of her book, The Artist's Side Hustle. To celebrate, she offers a special bonus:
"Pre order two copies. Email your receipts to bonusgingerbread.com and I'll gift you something special," she declares [07:55]. The bonus includes free access to her course, Art that Works, which is designed to help artists self-criticize and elevate their artwork by mastering design principles that make art marketable.
Final Thoughts
In this episode, Stacie Bloomfield not only shares her impressive journey of building multi-million dollar creative businesses but also provides a tangible framework that listeners can apply to their own artistic endeavors. The Star Productivity Method serves as a beacon for those seeking structure amidst creative chaos, embodying Stacie's mission to help artists create businesses they love.
For artists looking to transform their passion into profitable ventures, Episode 26 of Art + Audience offers both inspiration and practical tools to embark on that journey.
Notable Quotes:
- "It's never too late to chase your creative dreams." — Stacie Bloomfield [01:15]
- "Just one week in, I felt more energized and focused than I had in months." — Stacie Bloomfield [04:45]
- "Momentum loop every reach out fuels your next strategize." — Stacie Bloomfield [07:50]